Terrorism allegations: Benin summons Niger’s envoy

Benin Republic has summoned a Nigerien diplomat amid accusations by Niger Republic’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, that neighbouring countries are supporting terrorism in West Africa.

Tchiani, in a televised address, alleged that Benin serves as a rear base for terrorists seeking to destabilise Niger Republic.

Reacting in a statement on X, Benin’s foreign ministry refuted the claims, describing them as baseless, and summoned Niger’s chargé d’affaires.

Due to the unfounded accusations made against our country, the chargé d’affaires of Niger has been summoned.

“Benin remains committed to dialogue and fraternal collaboration between the two nations,” the statement read.

An official letter has been sent to the diplomat by Beninese Foreign Minister Olushegun Bakari.

The development followed a similar response from Nigeria, which has also debunked allegations made by Niger’s junta.

Recall that Tchiani accused France of negotiating with terrorist groups in Nigeria, including Boko Haram, to destabilise Niger Republic.

The military junta also alleged that France made a substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu to establish a military base in Nigeria.

They (France) meet and negotiate with Boko Haram/Bakurawa (a possible variation of the pronunciation of Lakurawa, a new terrorist group in Nigeria),” Tchiani said.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, issued a statement refuting the allegations.

Reacting to the allegations in a video posted on his X page on Friday, Bwala said the claims are baseless propaganda, designed to create chaos and incite bad blood in northern Nigeria against Tinubu.

Yesterday I came across a video, a despicable propaganda piece by the military head of state of the Niger Republic against the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and this is what you often see with military interregnum,” he said.

Similarly, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has also described the allegations as unfounded, refuting claims that such a generous and magnanimous country as Nigeria would become a state sponsor of terrorism.

In a statement, ECOWAS expressed its support for Nigeria’s peacekeeping initiatives and condemned the allegations as unfounded.

The statement read in part: “The Commission stands firmly with Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states against allegations that they are sponsoring terrorism.”